BHOOMITHRASENA CLUB (BMC-158/ALP/17/11) CHRISTIAN COLLEGE, CHENGANNUR

Annual Activity Report for the Period June 2017 to March 2018

The month wise activity report of the Bhoomithrasena club during the period June 2017 to March 2018 is appended below. JUNE 2017 BIOBLITZ - LIFE AROUND YOU-NATURE OBSERVATION AND MOBILE PHOTOGRAPHY PROGRAM

The theme for World Environment Day 2017 was 'Connecting People to Nature – in the city and on the land, from the poles to the equator'.Bioblitz was aimed on finding and identifying as many species as possible in a specific area over a short period of time. It's as easy as taking photos of the plants and animals you see and loading them into iNaturalist, which provides a place to record observations and get help with species identification from scientists. In this program the selected kids were given a session on the program and they were allowed to observe and capture images of life at their homestead on the first week of June. Kids participated in this program with great enthusiasm. Instructions were given to them to continue the work at their schoolyard with the help of teachers.

PRESENTATION ONNATURE DEFICIT DISORDER

BMC member Robin Kuruvila made a presentation on Nature-Deficit Disorder as part of the WED 2017 observance. Author Richard Louv introduced the term “Nature- Deficit Disorder” in 2005 with the publication of his best-selling book, “Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder.” He coined the phrase to serve as a description of the human costs of alienation from nature and it is not meant to be a medical diagnosis. The nature-deficit weakens ecological literacy and stewardship of the natural world. In his presentation Robin explained the steps that can be taken to connect people with nature.

WORLD OCEAN’S DAY OBSERVANCE

As part of the World Ocean‟s day 2017 (June 8), the BMC member Jeena Sara Mathew, made a presentation on the focal theme Our Ocean, Our Future. She elaborated the steps to conserve and sustainably use an ocean that gives humankind the keys to its survival, from oxygen to a well-functioning climate, to key elements of our natural and human heritage. It was followed by a video presentation on Ocean‟s day.

OBSERVANCE OF STATE SNAKE BIRD DAY

BMC member Sherin Varghese took a class on snake birds and the threat faced by this bird in connection with state snake bird day observance. As part of a campaign to protect the endangered species – Snake Bird, the Kerala Govt. has been observing June 22 as State Snake Bird Day. Also known as Oriental Darter, it usually nests atop tall trees near wetlands and is largely found in Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Wayanad and Thiruvananthapuram districts, she said in her presentation.

VARATTAR REJUVENATION PROGRAM

The Varattar Rejuvenation Programme titled PUNARNAVA held on June 23, 2017 witnessed the vibrant participation of the students of various eco clubs like Bhoomithrasena, alumni, NSS and teaching & non-teaching staff of the college. Honorable Minister for Water Resources, Sri. Mathew T. Thomas inaugurated the program. The inspirational words of the Minister, M.L.A. Sri. K.K. Ramachandran Nair and Director& Actor Sri. M.B. Padmakumar fuelled the enthusiasm of our team. Around 500 students actively participated in the day long program. An introduction regarding the program was made by Sri. Hareesh, Coordinator, VARATTE AAR people‟s action group. Later students were divided into five groups. Two groups concentrated on clearing the thickets at the AdiPamba area. Another group with the help of local people, removed the encroachments on Varattar. The last group helped the workers to remove the bamboos that are arching into the river.

JULY 2017 WORLD SNAKE DAY OBSERVANCE

In connection with the World Snake Day (July 16), BMC members arranged a program on July 17, 2017. AthiraBalan made an introductory speech on the ecosystem value of snakes and the major threats faced by these animals. Later, Anju C. presented the details of first aid to be given during snakebite. She made the presentation with the help of the resources published by India Snake Bite Initiative. It was an opportunity to celebrate snakes and raise awareness about their conservation, so that students can speak out for snakes among the public.

AUGUST 2017

WORLD ELEPHANT DAY OBSERVANCE

The World Elephant Day (Aug- 12) observance programmes arranged by BMC members was held on 11th Aug, 2017. Linju Mathew made a power point presentation on the threat faced by elephants all over the world. A slide show titled „Elephantine

Visuals‟ was arranged in which the images captured by world famous wild life photographers were displayed. It was followed by the screening of a documentary titled GODS IN SHACKLES by Indian born Canadian Eco-Journalist –SangitaIyer. A caption contest was also arranged for the students in this connection. The winners of the caption contest were awarded with books on elephants.

QUILLING WORK BY BMC MEMBERS

As part of our fund raising program, the trained students of BMC were given the assignment to prepare quilling cards which can be used to welcome the dignitaries in all the functions held at the college. Quilling or paper filigree is an art form that involves the use of strips of paper that are rolled, shaped, and glued together to create decorative designs. Birthday cards and festival wishes cards with a message of nature conservation in it were a huge success and we could collect Rs.3640/- through the sale of these cards.

SEPTEMBER 2017

OBSERVANCE OF INTERNATIONAL VULTURE AWARENESS DAY

International Vulture Awareness Day is celebrated each year on the first Saturday in September to highlight the ecological importance of vultures. In this connection BMC organized a program on Sept. 14 and AnanduSurendran made a presentation on Vultures of India and the challenges faced by them with special emphasis on the Diclofenac issue.

OBSERVANCE OF INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE PRESERVATION OF OZONE LAYER

Bhoomithrasena club organized the Ozone Day program on 18-09-2017 at the seminar hall. The theme for the celebration was “Caring for all life under the Sun”. Chief guest of the day, Sri. O.S. Unnikrishnan, poet, environmentalist and former student of the college made an invited talk on the topic Preservation of Ozone layer through Green Living.

Umbrella Parade (KudaNadatham):A student‟s awareness campaign on preservation of Ozone Layer through an umbrella parade was organized with the support and participation of the student community. Around 150 students actively participated in the event. Before the umbrella parade, Sri. O.S. Unnikrishnan recited a PrakrithiGeetham which reminded the students to do their best to conserve mother Earth.

Presentation on Montreal Protocol and Human Health: The successful implementation of the Montreal Protocol sends out the powerful message that the world

can come together to avert a common threat to humanity. Since its adoption in 1987, the treaty to phase out the substances that deplete the stratospheric ozone layer has resulted in significant benefits to human health worldwide. This has been achieved primarily by the prevention of large increases in ultraviolet (UV) radiation in most inhabited parts of the globe. The scale of the damage to health had we failed to protect the ozone layer is clear. The health and well-being of hundreds of millions of people, many yet to be born, have been protected by the concerted action of the Parties since 1987. Ms. ChinnuViswanathan, former member of BMC made a detailed presentation on all these aspects with special emphasis on human health.

NATURE EDUCATION CAMP AT CHIMMONY WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

A Nature education Camp was organised for the Bhoomithrasena Club members from 18th to 20th Sept. 2017 at Chimmony Wildlife Sanctuary. Thirty eight students participated in the three day camp. Forester in Charge of the camp Sri.Baiju inaugurated the camp and the students got an opportunity to visit the Chimmony Dam area on the first day. On the second day, there was a 10 km trekking through the forest. The guards who accompanied us explained the details of the trees and animals spotted during the trekking program. In the afternoon we visited the forest interpretation center. On the next day we visited the medicinal plant garden and interacted with the Range Forest Officer Sri. Aneesh. We started our return journey to Chengannur after lunch.

OCTOBER 2017

NATIONAL WILDLIFE WEEK OBSERVANCE

The inauguration of the wall painting created with the help of the students of BMC and biodiversity club was done by the Principal Dr. Achamma Alex on Oct. 6. The paintings mainly focused on Wildlife Conservation. Messages conveying the importance of green living were also prepared on the walls. Later, all the participants took the wildlife conservation pledge in connection with National Wildlife Week Observance.

NATURE EDUCATION CAMP AT THATTEKKAD

A Nature education Camp was organised for the Bhoomithrasena Club members on the second week of Oct. 2017 at Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary. Forty one students participated in the three day camp. Deputy range Officer Sri. Rajendran inaugurated the camp and later Sri. Iype gave a detailed introduction of the sanctuary. On the second day, there was a trekking program through the forest. We were fortunate to spot the flagship species of the sanctuary namely Ceylon Frogmouth. The students could spot 79 species of birds during the trekking program. An eco-meditation program was also arranged during the trekking. In the afternoon we visited the forest interpretation center. Renowned ornithologist Dr. Sugathan took a session on Conservation of Birds. On the

next day we visited the butterfly garden, medicinal plant garden and aquarium maintained at the sanctuary. After breakfast there was a nature quiz competition. We started our return journey to Chengannur after lunch.

NOVEMBER 2017

NATIONAL BIRD WATCHING DAY OBSERVANCE

In connection with National Bird Watching Day (Nov.12), a documentary titled ThoovalkuppayakkarudeVismayalokam was screened for the BMC members on Nov. 13, 2017. ThoovalVismayam-a quiz competition on Birds and its Conservation was arranged for the students. Later, there was a Power point Presentation on 100 common birds of Kerala. Some books on birds and bird watching were introduced to the students towards the end of the program.

GREEN CHRISTMAS CARD

The BMC members designed and prepared a Green Christmas card depicting the tips that can be adopted by the students and their family members for the celebration of an ecofriendly Christmas. It was released by Prof. Lalu Varghese, Principal, MMAR School, Chengannur during the inauguration of their Eco Club. The copies of the same were handed over to different churches in Alappuzha and Pathanamthitta Districts to promote the concept.

DECEMBER 2017

NATIONAL POLLUTION PREVENTION DAY

As part of National Pollution Prevention Day (Dec.3), 14 members of BMC took the active initiative to collect the plastic waste seen scattered all over the campus on Dec.4 Monday. After the two and a half hours work, they put separate bins to collect the plastic waste at the campus. The plastic wastecollected, was handed over to the solid waste collectors of the Municipality.

WORLD SOIL DAY OBSERVANCE

In connection with World Soil Day Observance, the BMC members organized a half an hour program on Dec. 5, 2017.Aparna Anil made a presentation on the focal theme of this year‟s soil day observance- Caring for the planet starts from the ground. The ecological significance of soil with regard to the sustenance of life on Earth was discussed in the presentation.

IMPLEMENTATION OF RAINWATER HARVESTING PROGRAM

The water shortage experienced at the college during 2017 summer season, made the Bhoomithrasena Club to think of a solution for this and our committed effort culminated in finding a good resource person who himself tackled the water shortage in his house at Kozhokode through a novel Rainwater harvesting method. The Faculty in Charge Dr. Abhilash R. and another teacher from the college visited the house of Dr. Balakrishnan Nair, Retired Pathologist, Medical College, Kozhikode. He explained the detailed working of The Rooftop Multiple Fibre Tank method of rainwater harvesting. The same was implemented at Christian College with some slight modification and it was proved to be a very effective method. The college didn‟t face any sort of water problem during the summer period in 2018. Periodic cleaning of the basin filter and channels ensured good supply of pure water. In this year, the BMC is planning to promote this method of rainwater harvesting among the public.

JANUARY 2018 TALK ON TURTLE CONSERVATION A talk on turtle conservation by Sri.SajiJayamohan, Secretary, Green Roots Nature Conservation Forum was arranged on 02nd January, 2018 at the audio visual room of the college. Sri Saji explained the threat faced by these reptiles all over the world. Later, he gave a detailed account on the steps undertaken by their organization in the field of turtle conservation. Students clarified their doubt in the afternoon. The Certificate of Appreciation prepared by the club was handed over to Sri. Saji by Dr. Johnson Baby.

NATIONAL OIL AND GAS CONSERVATION WEEK OBSERVANCE

In order to generate awareness among the masses about the urgency of conserving petroleum products, the celebration of oil conservation week with the participation of PCRA and the entire oil industry under the guidance of the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas was started in year 1991.In this connection, the Bhoomithrasena club organized a presentation in which Archana K. of II M.Sc. took a session on the judicious use of these finite resources. Later, students took the fuel conservation pledge. The FIC Dr. Abhilash R. took the online fuel conservation pledge on 2017 Jan. 8 and also received the certificate from the Petroleum ministry.

FEBRUARY 2018

WORLD WETLANDS DAY OBSERVANCE

Quiz Competition on Wetlands And Biodiversity Conservation- Seven teams from various departments of the college participated in the quiz programme on Wetlands and Biodiversity Conservation. Four rounds of direct questions followed by one visual round

were there in the quiz. Students representing Dept. of English won the first prize. Team representing Dept. of Botany got the second prize followed by team Zoology on the third position. Certificates were issued to the winners.

Video Presentation on The Role of Wetlands for a Sustainable Urban Future - Two Video presentations on wetlands and their role in sustaining life in urban environment were screened for the students. Urban Wetlands Make Cities Livablewas the first one to screen. Urban wetlands are essential and contribute to making cities liveable. They help with flood control, acts as a filter for domestic and industrial waste. The also contribute to improving water quality and are green spaces in cities which helps to promote human wellbeing. This was the message of the first video. Wetlands are essential for sustainable urbanization was the second video screened on the occasion. This was a Statement by Martha Rojas Urrego, Secretary General of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands on the occasion of World Wetlands Day 2018.

Wetland Walk – To feel the wetness of a wetland, the BMC members were taken to RandamPuncha Wetland near Kulanada and they were allowed to walk on the entire wetland through the bunds on bare foot. It was a novel experience for most of the participants as they were walking through a wetland on barefoot for the first time.

PARTICIPATION IN TURTLE RELEASE PROGRAM

The FIC and two student members got an opportunity to attend turtle hatchling release program organized by Green Roots Nature Conservation Forum at Thottappally beach on 14-02-2018. The program was jointly inaugurated by PurakkadGramaapnchayath President Smt. Rahmath Hamid and Ambalapuzha Block Panchayath Vice President Smt. Mayadevi. Mrs. Sumi Joseph, Divisional Forest Officer, Social Forestry Wing, Alappuzha was present on the occasion. On this occasion 131 Olive Ridley turtle hatchlings were released. The eggs of these hatchlings were collected by the members of Green Roots nature Conservation Forum from Pallana area on Dec. 27, 2017.

STUDY OF MANGROVE ECOSYSTEM

The members of Bhoomithrasena Club participated in the field visit to study the Mangrove ecosystem maintained by Sr.Anilkumar at Puthuppally near Kayamkulam. Sri. Anil Kumar, former director of the Bamboo Cooperation has cultivated thousands of mangroves in his barren land situated at Puthuppally. He gave a detailed account on his experiment that he started ten years back. The six varieties of Mangroves present there and their specialties were explained in detail. Students got an opportunity to closely observe this unique ecosystem. Later, he explained the details of his integrated farming practice on his plot. As a token of appreciation, students gave various books on nature conservation and green living to Sri. Anilkumar.

CAMPUS BIRD COUNT PROGRAM

The Campus Bird Count is a sub-event of the larger Great Backyard Bird Count. It is a coordinated effort to document the birdlife in multiple campuses across India. Outside protected areas, campuses in India often contain surprisingly large amounts of important habitat for birds and other wildlife, even in urban areas. Documenting this wildlife is therefore important and it‟s also fun and relatively easy. The Bhoomithrasena Club organized a bird count program on 19th February at the college campus. The team could spot 12 species of birds during the program.

MARCH 2018

HARITHA SAMVADAM -INTERACTION WITH THE CANDIDATES OF CHENGANNUR BYE- ELECTION ON GREEN PROTOCOL

A debate on the implementation of Green Protocol in the forthcoming Chengannur Bye-Election was arranged by Bhoomithrasena Club in association with nature club and biodiversity club on 19-03-2018 forenoon. The LDF candidate Sri.SajiCheriyan, NDA candidate Sri. SreedharanPillai and UDF candidate Sri.Vijayakumar expressed their views on green protocol and the students actively participated in the debate with plenty of valid questions.

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF FORESTS OBSERVANCE

As part of the observance of International day of forests, the Bhoomithrasena club, Nature Club and Biodiversity Club, jointly organized a program in association with WWF, Kerala Chapter on 19-03-2018 afternoon. Kerala State Director of WWF India, Sri.Renjan Mathew Varghese inaugurated the program by honouring a mahagony tree at the campus. Later, the staff and students also honoured the remaining trees. A talk on the topic, “Forests: Primarily for Wildlife, then for People”by Sri. Renjan Mathew Varghese was followed. An exhibition of photographs on wildlife and messages on nature conservation arranged by WWF was also arranged on the same day.

WORLD SPARROW DAY OBSERVANCE

The World Sparrow day was observed by BMC on March 23, 2018. ArchanaSajeev, BMC Member made a presentation on sparrows of India, their status and conservation strategies. A video presentation on the importance and major initiatives of sparrow conservation in Kerala titled OruKuruvikkuNammodenthuParayan was screened on the occasion.

OBSERVANCE OF WORLD WATER DAY

Preliminary Work of a Pond Cleaning – A pond situated near Budhanoor which has been abandoned and filled with waste was noticed by one of the BMC members and he informed the matter in one of our meetings. So we decided to start the preliminary work of cleaning that pond on world water day so that it will inspire others to do their bit conserve such ponds to receive the rainwater available during the monsoon period.

Steps to Prevent Soil Erosion on the bank of the Pond –Vetiver grass and small tree saplings were planted on the banks of the pond which was ruined by soil erosion. Dr. HariBhaskar, Medical Superintendent of KNM, NSS Ayurveda Hospital and a native of Budhanoor inaugurated the planting program. Posters depicting the importance of conserving waterbodies were handed over to people residing close to the pond.

Survey of Waterbodies of Chengannur Municipality –Members of BMCcarried out a survey on the status of wetlands in Chengannur Municipality and informed the same to the councilors concerned.

EARTH HOUR PROGRAM

As part of the Earth Hour observance, the BMC in association with WWF Kerala Chapter gave maximum promotion to Earth Hour Program through posters and stickers. The BMC members supplied the A4 size posters to the shops and other institutions in Chengannur Town.

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